Transaction control system including portable data terminal and mobile customer service station

ABSTRACT

A mobile customer service station operating within a wireless multi-hop communication network includes a console on a wheeled chassis. The console carries and houses a number of components which are used in merchandising operations to conclude customer purchase transactions. The items supported externally on the console are a printer for printing purchase receipts, customer credit charge agreements and records of transactions, and a magnetic card reader for reading information from a magnetic stripe of a customer&#39;s credit card. In one embodiment, the operation of the printer, credit card reader and the cash drawer is controlled by a multi-function control unit located within an enclosure of the console. The control unit is electrically powered by a self-contained power source which is preferably a deep cycle rechargeable battery. The console also houses a transceiver unit which under the control of the control unit is capable of interactive communication with a premises network. In another embodiment, the mobile service station comprises an access device which participates with a variety of peripherals at the station in a lower power communication LAN, while providing higher power communication to other network devices via a premises network with routing via a wireless spanning tree configuration.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Claiming Benefit Under 35 U.S.C.120

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.08/499,328, filed Jul. 7, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,654,378, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/487,609, filed Jun.7, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,790,536, issued Aug. 4, 1998. U.S.application Ser. No. 08/499,328 is also a continuation-in-part of PCTApplication Serial No. PCT/US93/12628, filed Dec. 23, 1993.

The U.S. application Ser. No. 08/487,609, filed Jun. 7, 1995 is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. a) 08/279,148, filedJul. 22, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,657,317, issued Aug. 12, 1997; and b)07/876,629, filed Apr. 30, 1992, now abandoned.

The U.S. application Ser. No. 08/279,148, is a continuation-in-part ofPCT Application Serial No. PCT/US94/05037, filed May 6, 1994; U.S.application Ser. No. 08/205,639, filed Mar. 4, 1994. now U.S. Pat. No.5,555,276, and U.S. application Ser. No. 08/275,821, filed Jun. 10,1994, now abandoned.

PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US94/05037 is based on U.S. applicationSer. No. 08/198,404, filed Feb. 22, 1994, now abandoned, which is itselfa continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/198,452, filed Feb. 18,1994, now abandoned, which is in turn a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 08/168,478, filed Dec. 16, 1993, now abandoned, andPCT Application Serial No. PCT/US93/12628, filed Dec. 23, 1993. The U.S.application Ser. No. 08/168,478, is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 08/147,377, filed Nov. 3, 1993, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/101,254, filed Aug.3, 1993, now abandoned, which is itself a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 08/085,662, filed Jun. 29, 1993, now abandoned,which is itself a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.08/076,340, filed Jun. 11, 1993, now abandoned, which is in turn acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/062,457, filed May11, 1993, now abandoned.

PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US93/12628 is based on U.S. applicationSer. No. 08/027,140, filed Mar. 5, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,824,issued Feb. 11, 1997, which is itself a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 07/997,693, field Dec. 23, 1992, now abandoned,which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 07/982,292,filed Nov. 27, 1992, now abandoned.

U.S. application Ser. No. 08/499,328 is also a continuation-in-part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 08/239,267, filed May 6, 1994, now U.S. Pat.No. 6,006,100, issued Dec. 21, 1999, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 07/876,776, filed Apr. 28, 1992, now abandoned.U.S. application Ser. No. 08/239,267 is also a continuation-in-part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 07/854,115, filed Mar. 18, 1992, nowabandoned.

U.S. application Ser. No. 07/876,629, filed Apr. 30, 1992 is also acontinuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 07/854,115, filed Mar. 18, 1992,now abandoned.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The above-referenced applications, including application Ser. No.07/876,776, filed Apr. 28, 1992 (the continuation of which has beenpublished as U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,100), and PCT Application No.PCT/US92/08610, filed Oct. 1, 1992, as published under InternationalPublication No. WO 93/07691, on Apr. 15, 1993, together with U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,031,098, 5,052,020, 5,202,825, 5,349,678, 5,365,546, 5,568,645,5,070,536, by Mahany et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,462, by Sojka, and U.S.Pat. No. 4,910,794, by Mahany, are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety, including drawings and appendices, and hereby are made apart of this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to wireless, computer controlledtransaction processing within merchandising operations, and, moreparticularly, it relates to a communication network wherein much of suchtransaction processing is distributed between a centralized station anda plurality of portable data terminals

2. Description of the Related Art

Computer terminals and peripherals have become dramatically smaller andmore portable. Many types of peripheral devices exist such as printers,modems, graphics scanners, text scanners, code readers, magnetic cardreaders, external monitors, voice command interfaces, external storagedevices, and so on. Despite the reductions in size, computer terminalsstill must physically interface with the peripheral devices. Thistypically involves either the running of a cable from one of thecomputer terminal to each device (hereinafter “hard-wiring”) or thecomputer terminal must be docked with the device while the informationtransfer is to take place.

Hard-wiring poses several problems. If there are many peripheraldevices, there must be as many cables attached to the computer terminal.This place a strain on the input/output capabilities of many computerdevices. In addition, the wired mass of cabling often creates an eyesoreand safety hazard. In addition, attempts to hide cabling behind wallsoften proves very costly, and such hidden wires are always moredifficult to relocate.

Another problem exists when several computer terminals share aperipheral device. Not only must each computer be connected, often viahard-wiring, to the peripheral device, but it must utilize acommunication protocol for sharing the communication channel to theperipheral device with the other connected computer terminals. Thisposes significant problems with different types of computers that do notshare a common hard-wired interface or communication protocol.

In smaller computer terminal settings, hand-held or portable terminals,the cabling and connection problem become more severe. For example,excess cabling can transform an otherwise light, portable device intoeither a stationary device or a heavy, luggable device having dangeroustrip cords for cabling.

Physical connections created by hard-wiring often proves to berelatively expensive because cables break and must be replaced. Cablereplacement is even more common in portable environments where cablesare subject to frequent handling, temperature extremes, dropping andother physical trauma.

An operator who is using, holding or carrying several devices and feelsall tied up is not just inconvenienced, he may be severely limited inhis mobility and flexibility as he moves about the work area. This lossof mobility and flexibility directly undercuts the entire reason forhaving small and portable computers and peripheral devices, and greatlyincreases the likelihood of operator injury.

Attempts to alleviate or eliminate these problems have been made buthave not been greatly successful. One solution is to incorporate acomputer terminal and all of the peripherals into one unit. However,this solution proves unsatisfactory for several reasons. For example,the incorporation of many devices into one unit greatly increases thesize and weight, thus jeopardizing the portability of the unit.Furthermore, incorporating all of the functions into one unit greatlyreduces and, in most cases eliminates, the flexibility of the overallsystem. A user may only wish to use a hand-held computer terminal attimes, but at other times may also need to use a printer or occasionallya code reader. An all-incorporated unit thus becomes either overly largebecause it must include everything, or very limiting because it does notinclude everything.

Another solution has been to set up Local Area Networks (LAN's)utilizing various forms of RF (Radio Frequency) communication. The LAN'sto date, however, have been designed for large scale wirelesscommunications between several portable computer terminals and a hostcomputer. Therein, the host computer, itself generally a stationarydevice, manages a series of stationary peripherals that, upon requeststo the host, may be utilized by the portable terminals.

Other large scale wireless communications have also been developed whichfor RF communication between several computer terminals and peripheraldevices, but all proving to be ineffective as a solution. For example,these systems require the peripheral devices to remain active at alltimes to listen for an occasional communication. Although thisrequirement may be acceptable for stationary peripheral devicesreceiving virtually unlimited power (i.e., when plugged into an ACoutlet), it proves detrimental to portable peripherals by unnecessarilydraining battery power. Similarly, in such systems, the computerterminals are also required to remain active to receive an occasionalcommunication not only from the other terminals or the host but alsofrom the peripherals. Again, often unnecessarily, battery power iswasted.

Moreover, in merchandising operations, conventional, stationarymerchandizing terminals (e.g., electronic cash registers) which aretypically hard-wired to a power source, local communication network,and/or telephone lines provide customer checkout service at a fixedlocation. Once such terminals are installed, they cannot be easily movedwithout significant effort in not only moving the terminals themselvesbut also in the relocation of the power source (typically an AC outlet),communication network and telephone line connections.

Also in merchandising operations, a common problem is found in handlinglight and heavy checkout loading. To manage heavy customer checkouttraffic, each merchandiser, guessing what the peak checkout traffic willbe, installs a plurality of stationary merchandising terminals within astore's premises. If the guess proves too low, additional stationaryterminals (each requiring power source, network and telephoneconnection, i.e., cabling installations) must be added, often causingfloor layout problems and very expensive cabling installations whichrequire the store to be temporarily closed. Alternately, if the guessproves too high, a merchandiser must either rip out the station andrepair the facilities or suffer the costs of lost space and stationupkeep. Furthermore, increases or decreases in customer traffic overtime may covert a guess for good to bad, resulting in the need to modifya store's terminal installations.

In addition, in periods of light checkout traffic (i.e., very fewcustomers checking out in relation to the number of stationarymerchandising terminals), most of the stationary merchandising terminalswill not be used. In such situations, the space taken up by thestationary terminals is not justified. In periods of heavy checkouttraffic (i.e., where numbers of customers wait in lines for access toeach available stationary merchandising terminal), merchandisers fearthat their customers will see the lines and forego their purchases, or,worse, will become so dissatisfied with the checkout wait that they willvow never to return.

Thus, it may be appreciated that it is often very difficult to predictthe number of stationary merchandizing terminal installations that areor will be needed. Moreover, it is even more difficult and costly tochange a store's stationary merchandizing terminal installations toconform to such needs.

Attempts have been made to minimize the cost of removing or addingmerchandizing terminal installations by replacing the network cablingwith an RF communication channel. In such installations, each terminalis fitted with an RF transceiver for communicating, for example, with acentralized host computer located some distance away. However, even withsuch changes, the aforementioned problems have not been solved. Forexample, the merchandising terminals still require hard-wiring to apower source, telephone lines (if used) and peripherals. In addition,the RF transmissions used to communicate with the centralized host needrelatively high transmission power, requiring access to a virtuallyunlimited power source (such as is available through an AC outlet).

Thus, there is a need for a communication network that supports thechanging need for merchandising terminals and their peripherals withoutrequiring conventional removal, installation or relocation costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the foregoing problems in a longer rangecommunication network having a mobile service station comprising aplurality of network devices. One of the plurality of network devices isan access point device which is capable of communicating on the longerrange communication network. The plurality of network devices togetherform a shorter range communication network operating as a subnetwork inthe longer range communication network. The access point device mayenter a low power consumption state when it is not communicating oneither the longer range communication network or the shorter rangecommunication network.

In another embodiment, the access point device participates as a slavedevice to the longer range communication network pursuant to a firstcommunication protocol, and participates as a master device to theshorter range communication network pursuant to a second communicationprotocol. The access point device may resolve conflicts between thefirst and second communication protocols.

In a further embodiment, a communication system comprises a wirelesspremises network and a wireless peripheral subnetwork having arelatively shorter range than the wireless premises network. The systemfurther has a mobile network device capable of communicating with boththe wireless premises network and the wireless peripheral subnetwork, aswell as a mobile service station. The mobile service station has abattery power supply, and is configured to mount the mobile networkdevice. The mobile network device may participate on the peripheralsubnetwork when mounted on the mobile service station.

When within the relatively shorter range of the peripheral subnetwork,the mobile network device participates on the peripheral subnetwork.When within range of the wireless premises network, the mobile networkdevice may participate on the wireless premises network. Furthermore,the mobile service station may mount a peripheral device whichparticipates on the peripheral subnetwork.

The mobile network device may participate as a slave device to thewireless premises network pursuant to a first communication protocolwhile participating as a master device to the peripheral subnetworkpursuant to a second communication protocol. The mobile network deviceresolves conflicts between the first and second communication protocols.When not communicating with either the wireless premises network or theperipheral subnetwork, the mobile network device may enter a state oflow power consumption.

In a still further embodiment, the wireless premises network has a firstplurality of network devices, and the peripheral subnetwork also has asecond plurality of network devices. When within range of one of thesecond plurality of network devices, the mobile network deviceparticipates as a master device in the peripheral subnetwork, and whenwithin range of one of the first plurality of network devices, themobile network device participates as a slave device in the wirelesspremises network.

In yet another embodiment, the system has a network device independentof the mobile network device. The network device has means foridentifying a range value which indicates the distance between thenetwork device and the mobile network device. The network deviceresponds to the identifying means by transmitting the range value to themobile network device, and, when the mobile network device receives therange value, the mobile network device identifies an appropriate datarate for subsequent transmission to the network device. Alternatively,the network device may respond to the identifying means by insteadindicating to the mobile network device an appropriate rate forsubsequent data transmission to the network device. In addition, themobile network device may have means for identifying battery parameterinformation which may be used along with the range value received fromthe network device to identify an appropriate power level and data ratefor subsequent transmission to the network device.

In another embodiment, the communication system is used to facilitate atransaction. The communication system comprises a mobile service stationoperating on a first communication network. The mobile service stationhas a network device for capturing transaction information, and forgenerating therefrom code information representative of the transactioninformation. The mobile service station further comprises a code printerfor printing the code information in code form. The system also has ahost service station operating on a second communication network. Thehost service station comprises a second network device for reading thecode and for generating therefrom the code information. The secondnetwork device converts the code information into the transactioninformation which the code information represents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram illustrating a mobile customer servicestation built in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of features of one embodiment ofthe customer service station of FIG. 1, showing particularly elementshoused in or mounted to a mobile enclosure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of features of an alternateembodiment showing elements housed in or mounted to the mobile customerservice station of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a multi-function control unitshown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating the exemplary functionality of oneof a number of control sequence that may be followed by the system andthe multi-function control unit of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the communication pathways forestablishing communication among the various devices in thecommunication network in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective diagram showing another embodiment of the mobilecustomer service station of FIG. 1 which is adapted to wirelesslycommunicate through both a premises network and a peripheral LAN.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the functionality of wirelesstransceivers built in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic illustration of an alternate embodiment of theperipheral LAN shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a channel access algorithm usedby slave devices in the peripheral LAN in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 a is a timing diagram of the protocol used according to thepresent invention illustrating a typical communication exchange betweena peripheral LAN master device having virtually unlimited powerresources and a peripheral LAN slave device.

FIG. 11 b is a timing diagram of the protocol used according to thepresent invention illustrating a typical communication exchange betweena peripheral LAN master device having limited power resources and aperipheral LAN slave device.

FIG. 11 c is also a timing diagram of the protocol used whichillustrates a scenario wherein the peripheral LAN master device fails toservice peripheral LAN slave devices.

FIG. 12 is a timing diagram illustrating the peripheral LAN masterdevice's servicing of both the high powered premises network, i.e., thepremises network, and the low powered peripheral LAN subnetwork withsingle or plural radio transceivers.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are block diagrams illustrating additional power savingfeatures according to the present invention wherein ranging and batteryparameters are used to optimally select the appropriate data rate andpower level of subsequent transmissions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram illustrating a mobile customer servicestation built in accordance with the present invention. The devicesfound in the illustrative peripheral LAN are battery powered andtherefore must conservatively utilize their radio transceivers. Thearrangement of the communication network, communication protocols used,and data rate and power level adjustments help to optimize batteryconservation without substantially degrading network performance.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the station 40 comprises aradio transceiver 47 (having an antenna 55), the cash drawer 43, and themulti-station printer 46. Other components, such as the battery 45 andthe multi-function control unit 42 are mounted within a housing or anenclosure 56 of the console 41. The enclosure 56 is mounted, in turn, toa wheeled base or chassis 57 which serves as a component mountingstructure of the console 41 of the customer service station 40.

The enclosure 56 desirably houses such electrical components that aredesirably not accessible and supports other components of the customerservice station which need to be accessed or be otherwise exposed Forexample, because the transceiver need not be accessed by an operator,yet the antenna 55 desirably remains exposed for optimum functionalrange. Thus in the currently preferred arrangement of the variouscomponents of the mobile customer service station 40, the transceiver 47is visible only by its antenna 55. The multi-station printer 46 ispreferably placed on top of the enclosure 56 for ready access by aclerk. The cash drawer 43 is accessible and mounted to slide openhorizontally. Other components, such as the battery 45 and themulti-function control unit 42 are housed within the enclosure 56 andare consequently not visible. Wheels 58 allow the customer servicestation 40 to be readily moved about by pushing or pulling it. It shouldbe understood that various changes and modifications particularly in theplacement of the components are possible without departure from thespirit and scope of the invention. Also, while it is deemed possiblewithin the scope of the invention to apply power to the wheels 58 andthereby provide a self-propelled unit, these modifications are notcontemplated at this time.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of features of one embodiment ofthe customer service station of FIG. 1, showing particularly elementshoused in or mounted to a mobile enclosure. Specifically, amulti-function control unit 42 (“MFCU”), provides local controlfunctions for the customer service station 40 and provides radiocommunications, as for example with the communications controller 31 inFIG. 1. In the preferred embodiment the customer service station 40further includes a cash drawer 43 which, of course, is used for storingcash and customer-signed credit authorizations. A card reader 44 allowsa customer's credit card information to be read when a customer hasselected to charge payments for purchased items to a credit cardaccount. Typically credit cards contain magnetic stripes bearingmagnetically encoded information relating to the customer. Data read bythe card reader consequently may include the card number, an accountnumber, possibly account status information, and such data mayfurthermore include a personal identification of the user. These dataneed to be interpreted. According to the preferred embodiment the cardreader is a model 40 Magstripe reader, as sold by American Magnetics. Ofcourse, other readers may be equally feasible. The reader is notcontemplated to include circuitry for the interpretation of data readfrom a card. Instead, the interpretation of data read from a card willbe performed by the control unit 42.

A self-contained power source, such as a rechargeable battery 45 iscontemplated to power all electrical functions of the customer servicestation 40 for the duration of each contemplated period of usage topermit the customer service station to maintain the mobility orindependence of customer service station 40 from conventional poweroutlets. It should be realized that, alternatively, mobile electronicequipment may be powered by transformer-type power supplies in temporarysubstitutions for batteries. Such alternate power sources typically donot require extensive hard wiring of the equipment to which they areapplied. Thus, within the intent of this invention such alternate powersources are somewhat self-contained and should be considered to liewithin the realm of reasonable changes and modifications within thescope of the invention. The battery is preferred to be a 12 volt deepcycle type battery. Depending on the type of usage of the equipmentcontemplated to be included as part of the customer service station 40,the battery size is selected to fully power all selected functions forthe duration of the longest contemplated period of usage. The correctlyselected battery size will allow the battery 45 to be charged duringidle periods, such as during store closing hours. The customer servicestation 40 will then be ready for use during the following business day.

A printer 46 is selected for low power usage in support of the mobilityof the customer service station. The printer is intended to printcustomer receipts and may be used to print customer creditauthorizations to be retained by the store. A printer typically is amechanical motion device requiring more power for its operation thanother, non-motion devices, such as computers or the card reader 44, forinstance. An exemplary printer that satisfies these needs can beobtained from NCR Corporation (model number 7150) although variousothers might also be used.

A radio transceiver 47 functions as a transmitting and receiving unitfor the mobile customer service station 40. In a preferred embodiment ofthe customer service station 40, the transmitting and receivingfunctions of the transceiver 47 are separated from the functions ofencoding and decoding radio messages. The transmitting and receivingfunctions are separately housed in the transceiver 47 itself, while thecoding and decoding functions reside in and are part of themulti-function control unit 42, similar to the separation of the basetransceiver station 32 and the communications controller 31. A connector48 is located at the base of the transceiver 47 for electricallycoupling the transceiver 47 to the multi-function control unit 42. Thus,in such embodiment the radio transceiver 47 is like the base transceiverstation 32 of the radio communications system 21, such that the twounits are interchangeable. The radio transceiver is coupled to themulti-function control unit 42 which performs all communicationsfunctions within the customer service station 40 other than thefunctions of receiving and transmitting radio messages.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of features of an alternateembodiment showing elements housed in or mounted to the mobile customerservice station of FIG. 1. In addition to the components described withrespect to the preferred embodiment of the customer service station 40,the alternative embodiment thereof further includes a keyboard 49 adisplay 50, such as a typical video screen, liquid crystal or an LEDdisplay with alpha-numerical character modes, and a bar code reader 51.A bar code printer 52 may be desirable for providing certain customerservice functions different from the typical function of tallyingpurchased items in a standard check-out operation.

The keyboard 49 is preferred to be an alphanumeric keyboard for enteringcomputer queries and customer information in addition to typical SKUnumbers. The display 50 is coupled to the keyboard 49 and to themulti-function control unit 42 and is consequently capable of showingdata received from either the keyboard 49 or the control unit 42. Thedata communication connection between the control unit 42 and thedisplay 50 is bi-directional, thereby providing for interactivecommunication between an operator of the keyboard 49 via the display 50with the multi-function control unit 42. In this interactive mode thecontrol unit 42 reads data from the display 50 or from the keyboard 49,and has the capability to output data or information to the display 50.The bar code reader 51 is preferably coupled to the display 50, and dataread by the bar code reader 51, for example, from merchandiseidentification tags or from customer courtesy cards or the like, arestored and displayed by the display 50. The multi-function control unit42 has, of course, access to data stored in the display 50 through thereferred-to bi-directional data link between the control unit 42 and thedisplay 50.

The bar code printer 52 is a typical, commercially available bar codeprinter. Typically one would not desire to include a bar code reader ona customer check-out station, however, it is advantageous to use theprinter 52 for printing merchandise labels for special sales or whenstandard merchandise labels are defective or missing. In special salessituations, the bar code printer 52 is used to print special saleslabels which are then applied to specially discounted items ofmerchandise to permit such items to be readily identified. Labelprinting for merchandise items may also be performed in line with generamerchandise restocking operations. The bar code printer 52,consequently, serves to further expand the usefulness of the mobilecustomer service station 40.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a multi-function control unitshown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In essence, the multi function control unitserves the major functions of controlling the operation of thecomponents of the customer service station 40, and providing radiocommunications with the communications controller 31.

A microprocessor 60 is shown to interact with several functionalsubcircuits via a control and data communications bus 61. As is oftenthe case, the microprocessor 60 interacts with an EPROM 62 (anelectrically programmable read only memory) and a RAM 63 (a randomaccess memory) in a typical manner. The EPROM 62 is initially programmedto store a control program to be accessed by the microprocessor 60. Thecontrol program causes the microprocessor 60 to generate control codesin a predetermined manner to control all functions to be exercised bythe customer service station 40. Thus, the program stored in the EPROM62 establishes sequences and priorities between different operatingfunctions known as a controller protocol. The RAM 63 temporarily storesdata, which data may be either procedural or substantive. proceduraldata are address codes, status information on a currently activecomponent of the customer service station, or information indicatingoperating sequences. Substantive data are, for example, data concerningcustomer information, SKU numbers of purchases made by a respectivecustomer, and price and quantity information.

An ADDRESS LATCH 64 latches or locks in the address of a current memoryaddress.

A status display 65 is an LED indicator, preferably showing four digits,which indicates visually an alphanumeric status report of the operationof the customer service station 40. Thus, an operator may receive atrouble report in case of a malfunction. In a normal mode the currentlyactive component of the customer service station 40 may be indicated.

A station identifier circuit 66 generates a code which, whenincorporated into a time-slot encoded radio transmission data message,identifies which particular customer service station 40 has originated aparticular radio transmission data message in question.

A dual communications port 67 is a serial communications port. Thecommunications port temporarily stores data in data registers fortransfer as a data stream into a serial interface, or the port 67receives data in serial format and stores such data temporarily in suchdata registers for immediately subsequent data transfer to themicroprocessor 60, for example.

The multi-function control unit 42 includes in the embodiment shown inFIG. 4, five electrical connectors which serve as external connectionsor interface ports between the control unit 42 and the respectivecomponent as pointed out herein below.

The connectors are labeled J1 through J5. The connector J1 is a generalpurpose serial interface, generally known as an RS232 port. The J1connector is in essence an auxiliary port, in that the customer servicestation per FIG. 2 shows no connection with respect to the connector J1.However, the display 50 or in the alternative, the bar code printer 52is contemplated to be connected to the serial port J1. Datacommunication between the dual communication port 67 and any deviceexternally connected to the connector J1 is buffered through a typicalbuffer circuit 74.

The connector J2 establishes a connection between the magnetic cardreader 44 and the multi-function control unit 42. In reference to FIG.4, the data received from the card reader 44 are raw data and areinterpreted by a programmed microprocessor 75 in combination with a databuffer 76. The interpreted data are then applied to the dualcommunication port 67.

The connector J3 is the interface for the cash drawer 43. A command toopen the cash drawer is issued directly from the microprocessor 60 as aresult of a respective data message received thereby. Anamplifier-driver circuit 77, also referred to as a buffer, adapts thesignal from the microprocessor 60 to be recognized by the cash drawer43.

The connector J4 is a printer interface and is matched to a parallelinterface of the preferred multi-station printer 46. The data andhand-shake signals are applied by the microprocessor 60 to a buffer 78and from there directly to the connector J4.

The connector J5 is a mating communications connector for the connector48 and is preferably disposed to readily permit the radio transceiver 47to be interconnected with the multi-function control unit 42. Theconnector J5 is hence the port to the radio communications system 21 asshown below in FIG. 6. The diagram of FIG. 4 shows the microprocessor 60as supporting serial transmit-receive functions. The microprocessor 60provides through the respective serial XR input-output terminals thecoding and decoding functions for the time-slot multiplexing procedurereferred to above. Because of critical timing relationships, theencoding and decoding functions are preferred to be performed directlyby the microprocessor. The signal generated by the microprocessor 60 isthen transferred through a single buffer 79 and through the connector J5to the radio transceiver 47. All transmissions received by ortransmitted from the mobile customer service station 40 are,consequently, encoded to uniquely identify the particular data in suchradio data messages with a particularly coded terminal 33.

Thus, to infuse one or more of the mobile customer service stations 40into the radio communications system 21, a corresponding number of thepotentially addressable data terminals 33 are deactivated and therespective customer service stations 40 are substituted to take theplace of the deactivated data terminals 33. To establish correctidentification of the respective customer service stations 40, each ofthe multi-function control units 42 must have stored the address codethat corresponds to the address code of one of the deactivated dataterminals 33.

From the above-described method of substituting the customer servicestations 40 it becomes apparent that the number of substitutions cannotexceed the maximum number of available radio address codes within anygiven system. Thus, within the described limits of this embodiment ofthe present invention, the maximum number of substituted customerservice terminals would be sixteen.

In accordance with one method of using the mobile customer servicestations 40 as mobile stations of the transaction control system 10, anumber of substitutions of customer service stations 40 for what wouldotherwise be radio addresses for the data terminals 33 is less than thetotal possible number of substitutions for the following reasons.

In accordance herewith, the data terminals 33 are considered data entryterminals for the mobile customer service stations 40. To achieve suchmode of operation, the communications protocol lodged in the centralcomputer 11 can be modified to establish communication between arespective one of the data terminals 33 and one of the mobile customerservice stations. A number of operational variations will be discussedbelow which affect the operational sequence and hence the protocol inthe computer.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating the exemplary functionality of oneof a number of control sequence that may be followed by the system andthe multi-function control unit of FIG. 4. In particular, the flowdiagram illustrates a transaction sequence beginning when a customerapproaches a service clerk with the intent of consummating merchandisepurchases. The service clerk is in possession of one of the dataterminals 33. Upon initial contact with the customer the service clerkassigns a temporary order number. This may be performed in any of anumber of ways. For example each of a number of service clerks may haveassigned to them a specific employee number, such that the entry of thenumber immediately identifies the particular employee who is providingthe service. Of course, the particular data terminal is uniquelyidentified by the central computer. Consequently, another procedure bywhich a number assignment may be made is a direct assignment as theresult of the data terminal signing on. Such initial sign-on triggersthe computer to open a file, hence to assign a temporary order number,as indicated by the step ASSIGN ORDER NUMBER. Thus the order number istransmitted to or generated by the central computer 11 or HOST, asindicated in the flow diagram.

The service clerk now enters the first merchandise number, an SKUnumber, into the data terminal 33 and transmits the SKU number of theselected merchandise item to the central computer 11 (INPUT SKU NO.).The computer looks up the price and merchandise description in itsmemory 13 and transmits the information to the data terminal 33 (DISPLAYPRICE, DESCRIPTION). At this point the customer may make a decision. Forexample, the price may not meet the customer's expectations because of amissed date for a special sales price or because a certain size or colorof an item is no longer available. The customer is in a position tochoose the item or to decline it. This is indicated by the decisionalstep APPROVED?. If the item is not chosen, the purchase is not approved,the item is deleted from the order, hence from the temporary file thathas been opened for the customer in the memory 13 of the computer 11, asindicated by the step DELETE ITEM FROM ORDER. If the customer choosesthe selected item, hence approves its purchase the service clerk mayinquire with the customer whether another purchase is to be made (ORDERCOMPLETE?). If another item is to be purchased, another selection ismade and the SKU number is again entered and transmitted to the computer11. The process is repeated through the ORDER COMPLETE? decisional stepuntil the query can be answered in the affirmative. At that point theinstruction END ORDER is transmitted to the host, the computer 11.

The computer 11 at this point interactively transmits the sum total ofpurchased items including taxes to the data terminal 33. The total isdisplayed on the digital readout 35 of the terminal 33, and the customerhas again the choice to approve or disapprove the purchase. The customermay disapprove, for example, because the sum total exceeds credit limitsor budgetary restraints. In case of non-approval the EDIT ORDER stepallows for the deletion of an item and the display of the revised sumtotal. If the final purchase stands approved, the next step is to assignfinal processing to one of the customer service stations 40 as describedherein above.

The final processing differs from processing a customer's purchases at atypical cash register. Referring, for example, to a typical check-outoperation, the customer may have indicated to the service clerk thepreferred manner in which payment is to be made, such as by credit card.A station number of a conveniently located mobile customer servicestation 40 is entered into the data terminal 33 and transmitted to thecomputer 11. The computer matches the temporary order number with thestation number of the selected customer service station 40 and transmitsthe information to the customer service station 40. It is to be notedthat the data terminal 33 is not directly linked to the customer servicestation 40, in that the radio transceiver 38 of the data terminal 33 ison an equal hierarchical level with the transceiver 47 of the customerservice station 40. Both are by design unable to communicate with eachother. However, the computer 11 provides the interactive communicationsinterface for effectively linking the data terminal 33 to function asthe input keyboard for the customer service station 40.

In one contemplated method of operation, the service clerk is in theposition to enter the customer's name and transmit that information tothe computer 11. This may be done, for example while another clerkprocesses another customer at the same customer service station 40 atwhich the current transaction will subsequently be completed. Thus, theservice clerk does not require actual or direct access to the customerservice station 40 to enter such preliminary customer information intothe computer 11. The direct communication of customer data from the dataterminal 33 to the computer 11 is of particular advantage if thecustomer has an approved line of credit with the store and the creditinformation can be checked against the current transaction without theneed to step up to the customer service station 40. Thus, an oftendisliked and sometimes confusing congestion as is found at typical cashregisters may be avoided.

As soon as the previous customer transaction by another service clerk iscompleted at the selected customer service station, the service clerk inthe next current transaction will have service from the multi-stationprinter 46. The purchase receipt with or without a credit agreement isprinted presented to the customer, for signature if a purchase has beenmade on credit. The merchandise is now either packed at a separatestation or the customer service station 40 can be employed for suchadditional purpose. When either the financial record printing or bothprinting the receipt and wrapping the purchased items is completed, thework at the customer service station is done and the next customer canbe processed.

It is readily seen that a per-customer processing time at the customerservice station 40 is reduced with respect to that of typicalpoint-of-sale registers, since the use of a single keyboard at thetypical point-of-sale register is used for checking out merchandiseitems and verifying customer credit information. Thus even whenpoint-of-sale check-out registers are coupled into a computer with theability to total purchases ahead of the customer stepping to theregister, the typical time consuming information taking and approvalprocess at the register remains.

The mobility of the stations 40 offer a number of advantages, in thatthe stations 40 are readily moved about on a sales floor without theneed for wiring changes or installation. A basic mode of operation is anaugmentation of an existing point of sales system 23 which already usesthe radio communications system 21 for inventory control functions. Inthe referred-to system having the capability of addressing a total ofsixteen radio transceiver units 38, a substitution of four terminals 33changes the radio communications system 21 to include a full complementof twelve data terminals 33 and four customer service stations 40, hencea ratio of three data terminals to each customer service station 40.While this number of substitution is given as a convenient example,other ratios are certainly possible. An optimum ratio of data terminals33 to mobile customer service stations 40 is recognized as depending onthe particular merchandizing environment. While the use of a number ofdata terminals 33 exceeding the number of customer service stations isseen as advantageous for many check-out operations, using the samenumber of customer service stations 40 as there are data terminals 33 iswithin the scope of the invention. In fact, one may also substitute anduse a number of customer service stations 40 which exceeds the number ofactive data terminals 33. The flexibility in the system 10 as describedherein is seen as an advantage and benefit of the current invention. Thedescribed flexibility of the transaction control system 10 is seenfurthermore as being particularly useful during seasonal peak demandsduring which additional customer check-out terminals or facilities maybe needed and wiring installations are not deemed feasible.

Another application for use of the customer service stations 40 is atemporary location from which complex wiring for connections to acentral computer 11 is not feasible, such as a tent, garden or warehousesale. In such an area there are typically no provisions for coupling asales terminal to a central computer 11. A proper wiring installationfor computer-controlled check-out facilities would frequently not befeasible. In addition to the cost of installing electrical wiring, timefactors involved in making wiring installations severely hampers theintent of installing a customer service terminal quickly in response toa present demand. On the other hand, the mobile customer service station40 is readily moved to the desired location. If the placement of theterminal 40 is in the general area and range of the permanentinstallation of the radio communications system 21, then no relaystation or electrical wiring installation is required. As analternative, for unusually remote locations, a single one of thehard-wire cables 20 may be needed to simply locate the communicationscontroller 31 and the base transmitter station 32 into the generallocale in which a plurality of the customer service stations are to beused.

Using a plurality of the data terminals 33 for keying in information toeach mobile customer service station 40 potentially reduces thecheck-out time per customer at the station to about one third of thatrequired at a full check-out station. The contemplated use of the dataterminal 33 in combination with the mobile customer service station 40consequently not only provides a check-out station that improvescustomer service but also enhances the usefulness of the data terminals33 to their owners.

A further application for the customer service stations 40 is at a tradefair or exhibition, particularly at one at which a number of commonlycontrolled sales areas are located in different parts of a fair grounds.In such event the computer can maintain accurate central control overall sales areas.

Particularly in this latter example, the system is intended to functionnot as an augmentation to an existing stationary point-of-sale system,but as an independently functioning mobile customer service system.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the communication pathways forestablishing communication among the various devices in thecommunication network in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, the overall communication network of the present inventionis arranged into two functional groups: 1) a main communication networkor premises network; and 2) a plurality of subnetworks or peripheralLAN's, e.g., each mobile customer service station.

The premises network in the illustrated embodiment comprises ahard-wired backbone LAN 80, access devices 81, 82, 83, 84 and 85, and anaccess device 90 mounted within a mobile service station 86. As shown,mobile network devices such as a terminal 87 and a wireless transceiver91 mounted on a mobile service station 89 participate in the premisesnetwork via the access device 82 and 85, respectively.

Access devices may be either “access points” or “access servers”depending on the specific network application. An access point is arelaying device in the premises network. It typically receives data orother information which it relays toward the destination. In addition,as is evident from its name, an access server functions as an entrypoint for communications originating from various network devices whichdo not form part of the premises network, but merely participatethereon. For example, the terminal 87 or mobile service station 89 (orits subcomponents) are not part of the premises network, although theydo participate in the premises network. To gain access to the premisesnetwork, such network devices communicate through an access point (oraccess server).

An “access server” is an access point which has been configured toprovide (for the various network devices) data or program code storageand retrieval and/or to perform processing. The access devices 81-85need only be access points, however, preferably, the access device 90 isan access server which stores and retrieves data and performsspecialized processing related to the servicing provided at the mobileservice station 86.

Although other data forwarding configurations may be used, theillustrated premises network is arranged in a spanning treeconfiguration. Data is routed from one network device to another throughthe access devices 81-85 and 90 and the backbone LAN 80, when necessary.The access device 81 is designated a root device. Communications flowingtoward the root are considered to flow downstream. Communicationsflowing away from the root are considered to flow upstream. Each accessdevice contains a table having entries for each network device in one ofthat access device's upstream paths. The table also has an entryidentifying the next access device in the downstream path. Furtherdetail regarding wireless spanning tree data flow can be found in U.S.Pat. No. 5,428,636, issued on Jul. 27, 1995, by Robert C. Meier.

Computers 92 and 93 and any other non-mobile (stationary) network devicelocated in the vicinity of the backbone LAN 80 can be directly attachedto the backbone LAN 80. The backbone LAN 80 may be any type of hardwiredcommunication media or protocol such as, for example, ethernet, RS232,token ring, etc. Mobile devices and remotely located stationary devicesmust maintain connectivity to the backbone LAN 19 through either asingle access device such as the access device 81, or through amulti-hop network of access devices such as is illustrated by the accessdevices 81-84 and 90.

The access devices 81-84 and 90 contain a relatively higher powerwireless transceiving capability to provide coverage over an entirepremises such as a merchandising floor. Although a single access devicemay be sufficient to communicate with all wireless network devices, ifthe premises is too large or contains interfering physical barriers, aplurality of access devices may be necessary. Through the premisesnetwork, relatively stable, longer range wireless and hard-wiredcommunication is maintained.

Network devices that are mobile or remote (i.e., cannot be directlyconnected to the backbone LAN 80) are fitted with wireless transceivers.Although RF transceivers are used, alternate wireless media, such as forexample infrared transmissions, might be implemented where theconditions so suggest, e.g., infrared transceivers are most useful inline of sight, non-mobile situations.

To guarantee that a mobile or remote network device will be able todirectly communicate with at least one of the access devices 81-85 or90, the network device is fitted with a transceiver capable of yieldingapproximately the same transmission power as that of the access devices15 and 17. However, not all mobile or remote network devices require adirect RF link to the access devices 81-85 or 90, and some may notrequire any link at all. Instead, for example, communication may begenerally localized to a small area and, as such, only needs to userelatively lower power, shorter range transmissions. This is generallythe situation with peripheral type network devices, such as printers,plotters, scanners, magnetic card readers, etc.

Therefore, instead of requiring all network transmissions at therelatively higher power level, devices needing only shorter rangetransmissions to intercommunicate form and participate in the localized,short range communications herein called a “peripheral LAN”. Forexample, intercommunication between peripheral devices such as a printer95 and code reader 94 provides a justification for a peripheral LANconfiguration. Other network devices can also participate in anyperipheral LAN formed, and any network devices participating in theperipheral LAN can communicate with any other participating device.

Thus, when the code reader 94 is within a short range distance from theprinter 95, the code reader 94 can communicate, using a lower powertransmission saving battery power, information to be printed. When outof short range of the printer 95, the code reader 94 must either useanother short range (peripheral LAN) pathway, use higher power premisesnetwork transmissions, or wait until again within short range of theprinter 95. For example, the terminal 87 can communicate with theprinter 95 via the premises network. In particular, the terminal 87sends data destined for the printer 95 to the access device 85 using ahigher power transmission. The access device 85 examines its routingtable attempting to identify the printer 95 in an upstream path. Uponfailing to find an entry for the printer 95, the access device 85 sendsthe data downstream to the access device 83. The access device 83similarly fails to identify the printer 95 and forwards the datadownstream to the root, the access device 81. The access device 81identifies the printer 95 in an upstream path and routes the dataupstream to the access device 90. Finally, the access device 90participates in a peripheral LAN with the printer 95 at a lower powerlevel to complete the delivery of the data to the printer 95. However,should the terminal 87 move into the shorter range of the printer 95,the terminal 87 will either join in an ongoing peripheral LAN in whichthe printer 95 participates, or will together with the printer 95 form anew peripheral LAN. Upon moving out of the short range, the terminal 87can reestablish a communication pathway through the premises network tothe printer 95.

Although the printer 95 may be configured to communicate on both aperipheral LAN or the premises network, the printer 95 need only beconfigured to communicate on a peripheral LAN. Thus, the printer 95 canonly indirectly communicate on the premises network, i.e., only throughanother network device which participates on both the premises networkand peripheral LAN.

Configuration for communication involves the installation of either asingle radio capable of adapting to participate on both the premisesnetwork and peripheral network, or two radios—one for each network.Further detail regarding such configurations can be found in pendingapplication U.S. Ser. No. 09/148,962, filed Jun. 7, 1995, by Mahany etal., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In an alternate configuration (not shown), the access device 90 may bedirectly connected to the backbone LAN 80, instead of indirectly via theaccess device 81. In such an alternate configuration, the access device90 avoids high power radio transmissions altogether, except whencommunicating upstream (if so configured). Otherwise, only peripheralLAN transmissions need be made. However, it can be appreciated that bymaking a hardwired direct connection to the backbone LAN 80, the mobileservice station 86 becomes stationary. Alternately or in addition,wheels 96 could be removed and hardwired power added, fully convertingthe station 86 into a rather permanent, stationary service station.

As briefly described above, in any peripheral LAN, the participatingdevices (“peripheral LAN devices”) need not all possess the transceivercapability to reach the premises network. However, at least oneperipheral LAN device needs to have that capability if overall networkconnectivity is to be maintained. Moreover, if the mobile servicestation 86 is moved out of range of the premises network, i.e., out ofhigher power wireless range of the other access devices 81-85, theperipheral LAN associated with mobile service station 86 detaches fromthe premises network for independent operation. Upon moving back withinthe higher power range, the associated peripheral LAN reattaches to thepremises network. Similarly, if a peripheral LAN is formed withouthaving a participating network device which can also participate withthe premises network, it is considered “detached” from the premisesnetwork. Upon the event that a device which does participate on thepremises network joins a detached peripheral LAN, that peripheral LANautomatically “attaches” to the premises network.

The components (network device) within the mobile service station 89operate with a single wireless link with the premises network asdescribed previously, for example, in reference to FIG. 2 or 3 above. Inparticular, within the mobile service station 89, each network device ishardwired to a controller unit which communicates via a radiotransceiver through the premises network. No wireless peripheral LAN isever formed. However, the alternate embodiment of the mobile servicestation, the mobile service station 86, as previously mentioned, isconfigured to participate in both the premises network and peripheralLAN's. Further detail regarding the embodiment of station 86 can befound below in reference to FIG. 7.

Although the mobile service station 86 is shown to be configured with anaccess device 90, it need not be. Instead, any of the network devicesdisposed on or in the mobile service station could be configured toparticipate in the premises network and peripheral LAN's, alleviatingthe need for the access device 90. However, the access device 84 wouldfind an alternate premises network pathway towards the root, forexample, such as through the access device 82.

FIG. 7 is a perspective diagram showing another embodiment of the mobilecustomer service station of FIG. 1 which has been configured with avariety of wireless network devices that together communicate through apremises network and a peripheral LAN. Specifically, disposed within andon a mobile service station 100, a screen 101, keyboard 102, printer103, magnetic card reader 104, access server 105 and cash drawer 106 canbe found. Although each of these components or devices could beconsidered wireless network devices if attached as a functional unit toa wireless transceiver, as illustrated, only the card reader 104,printer 103 and screen 101 are so configured. Thus, along with a codereader 99, these devices participate with the access device 105 on aperipheral wireless LAN.

Battery power is provided by a pair of 12 volt batteries 107 hiddenbehind a panel (not shown) of the mobile service station 100. A fold-outtable extension 109 is also provided to extend the work area once atemporary destination has been reached. Wheels 108 may be locked inplace for stability, or may be completely removed to accommodate morepermanent (stationary) installations. The access device 105 is alsofitted with a disk drive 98 for moving information to or from the accessdevice 105 if the communication link to the premises network fails.Although a disk drive 98 is shown, alternate forms of removable storagemight be used such as a tape drive, flash memory cards, optical drives,etc.

The access device 105 has a plurality of PCMCIA type slots, slots 105,for receiving, for example, a radio for communicating on the premisesnetwork, a radio for communicating on the peripheral network (or asingle radio capable of communicating on both), a cellular phone, apaging unit, wired modem, ethernet card, etc. Although illustrated onthe front of the mobile service station 100, the slots might alternatelybe located on the back, side or within the station 100.

Peripheral LAN communication occurs over a relatively shorter range thanthat of the premises network. Thus power consumption can besignificantly reduced with local communication within the peripheral LANwhich needs relatively minimal transmission power. For example, imagesmay be recorded by the code reader 99, transmitted via the peripheralLAN to the access device 105. In response, the access device 105functioning as a access server classifies and/or decodes the image.Thereafter, the access device 105 attempts to identify associated data(e.g., text) associated with the classified/decoded image. If found inlocal storage within the access device 105, the data is transmitted backvia the peripheral LAN to the code reader 99. If not found locally, theaccess device 105 communicates through the premises network to find thedata. In addition, once located, the data may also be printed on theprinter 103, such as in a receipt format, in response to peripheral LANcommunication from the access device 105 or the code reader 99, forexample. The data might also be printed in response to a command fromanother device in the premises network (not shown).

In addition, as previously mentioned, the mobile station 100 need not beconfigured with an access device. However, of the remaining devices(components) within the mobile service station 100, at least one must beable to communicate with the premises network else the mobile station100 will operate in isolation, “detached” from the premises network.

FIG. 7 also illustrates another embodiment using a peripheral LAN tosupporting roaming data collection and remote transaction processing byan operator according to the present invention. An operator wearing abelt 141 carries a peripheral LAN comprising a terminal 145, code reader144 and a printer 142 (supported by the belt 141). Other peripheraldevices might also be carried or worn on the belt 141 such as, forexample, the magnetic card reader 104.

The operator collect information regarding merchandise to be purchased,for example, with either the code reader 144 or the terminal 145. If thepower resources were equal, the terminal 145 would be designated to alsocommunicate with the premises network. However, the belt 141 is alsofitted with a battery pack 143 which, upon docking the printer 142 tothe belt 141, provides battery power to the printer 142. Therefore, anybelt docked device becomes a prime candidate for operation on the boththe peripheral LAN and premises network (unless it does not have theradio capability for participation on the premises LAN). Thus, inaddition to performing the printing function, the printer 142 acts as anintermediary between the other network devices in the peripheral LAN,i.e., the code reader 144 and the terminal 145, and the premises LAN.

In a specific application of the network devices illustrated in FIG. 7,an operator wearing the belt 141 carries a code reader 144 and theprinter 142 through a long line of customers awaiting check-out at theservice station 100. One customer at a time, the operator uses the codereader 144 to read code information printed on or associated withmerchandise being purchased. Once all of a customer's merchandise hasbeen recorded, the printer 142 is directed to print a receipt having anidentifying code thereon. This direction may come directly from the codereader 144 via the peripheral LAN or from another network device via thepremises network. In addition, the collected code information isforwarded to, for example, a computer (not shown), for example thecomputer 92 (FIG. 6), via the premises LAN.

After printing a receipt on the printer 142, the receipt is handed tothe customer. When the customer reaches the mobile service station 100,instead of re-reading the code information from each of the merchandiseitems being purchased, the printed receipt is delivered to the operatorof the station 100 who uses the code reader 99 to read the code printedthereon. The code reader 99 communicates that code via the peripheralLAN back to the access device 105 which, in turn, communicates the codethrough the premises network to the computer (not shown) that stored andpossibly supplemented the previously collected merchandise codeinformation. The computer responds by forwarding such information to theaccess device 100 via the premises network. In turn, via the peripheralLAN, the access device 105 delivers the information to the screen 101for display and to the printer 103 for final printing. If cash istendered, the access device 105 responds to operator input via thekeyboard 102 by calculating change due, for example, and automaticallyopening the cash drawer 106. Alternately, if a credit card is swipedthrough the magnetic card reader 104, the reader 104 responds by sendingthe card information via the peripheral wireless LAN to the accessdevice 105. In response, the access device 105 sends averification/authorization request through the premises network forfurther forwarding to a possibly remote credit card processing center.Responsive verification and authorization information flows back to theaccess point 105 via the premises network for completing thetransaction.

In another embodiment, a card reader such as the card reader 104 mayalso be docked on the belt 141 to further off-load the mobiletransaction station. Thus, to promote interchangeability of networkdevices, the belt 141 and mobile service station 100 both use the samenetwork devices and both have similar docking arrangements.

Moreover, if during collection of information the operator wearing thebelt 141 decides to power down the printer 142, the peripheral LANbecomes detached from the premises network. Although it might bepossible for the detached peripheral LAN to function, except forprinting, all premises network communications are placed in a queueawaiting reattachment. As soon as the detached peripheral LAN comeswithin range of an attached peripheral LAN device, i.e., any networkdevice attached to the premises network, the queued communications arerelayed to the premises network. This would occur whenever the printer142 is turned back on, or when the operator walks within lower powerrange of the access device 105.

To avoid detachment when the printer 142 is powered down (or runs out ofbattery power), the terminal 145 may be designated as a backup forperforming the higher power communication to the premises network. Asdescribed in more detail below in reference to FIG. 11 c regarding theidle sense protocol, whenever the terminal 145 determines that theprinter 142 has stopped providing access to the premises network, theterminal 145 takes over the role if it is next in line to perform thebackup service. Thereafter, when the printer 142 powers up, it monitorsthe peripheral LAN, requests and regains from the terminal 145 the roleof providing an interface with the premises network. This, however, doesnot restrict the terminal 145 from accessing the premises networkalthough the terminal 145 may choose to use the printer 142 for powerconservation reasons.

In addition, if the printer 142 reaches a predetermined low batterythreshold level, the printer 142 will attempt to pass the burden ofproviding premises network access to other peripheral LAN backupdevices. If no backup device exists in the current peripheral LAN, theprinter 142 may force the peripheral LAN into a detached state from thepremises network by refusing all high power transmissions to thepremises network. Alternatively, the printer 142 may either refusepredetermined select types of requests, or prompt the operator beforeperforming any transmission to the premises network. However, theprinter 142 may still listen to the communications from the premisesnetwork and inform peripheral LAN members of waiting messages.

The above example involving the mobile service station 100 appliesequally to the situation where the mobile service station 100 is madestationary, i.e., by removing the wheels 108 and hard-wiring it to powerand/or the premises network. In fact, the above example applies toservice stations which are permanently stationary, so long as therelated component/device subparts have the described networkfunctionality.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the functionality of a wirelesstransceivers built in accordance with the present invention. Althoughpreferably plugging into PCMCIA slots of the computer terminals andperipherals, the transceiver 110 may also be built-in or externallyattached via available serial, parallel or ethernet connectors forexample. Although the transceivers used by potential peripheral LANmaster devices may vary from those used by peripheral LAN slave devices(as detailed below), they all contain the illustrated functional blocks.

A peripheral LAN will usually consist of one or more network devices(typically peripherals) slaved to a single master roaming networkdevice, i.e., a roaming “computing device”. For example, referring toFIG. 7, the participating network devices in associated with the belt141 include the printer 142, terminal 145 and code reader 144. Any oneof these devices might also participate on the premises network, if soconfigured. Any one, not necessarily the one with mutual participation,might be assigned the role of a master device in the peripheral LAN. Therest of the network devices in the peripheral LAN are then consideredslaves, although multiple master roaming computing devices arecontemplated.

In particular, the transceiver 110 contains a radio unit 112 whichattaches to an attached antenna 113. The radio unit 112 used inperipheral LAN devices that are assigned the task or backup task ofparticipating on the premises LAN need only provide reliable low powertransmissions, and are designed to conserve cost, weight and size.Otherwise, the radio unit 112 must be designed for higher power andpossibly more complex protocol transmissions with the premises network.Thus, some network devices may contain two radio units 112 or twotransceivers 110—one serving the premises network and the other servingthe peripheral LAN. Alternately, they may contain a single radio unitdesigned to service both networks.

In embodiments where cost and additional weight is not an issue, a dualradio unit configuration provides several advantages. For example,simultaneous transceiver operation is possible by choosing a differentoperating band for each radio. In such embodiments, for example, a 2.4GHz frequency hopping radio may be included for premises networkcommunication while a 27 MHz radio single frequency radio supports theperipheral LAN. As such, peripheral LAN devices receive the 27 MHzradio, while any network device which communicates only on the premisesnetwork are fitted with only the 2.4 GHz radios. Network devices whichparticipate or may participate on both receive both radios (or bothradio channel functionality).

A low power 27 MHz peripheral LAN radio is capable of reliablytransferring information at a range of approximately 40 to 100 feetasynchronously at 19.2K BPS. An additional benefit of using the 27 MHzfrequency is that it is an unlicensed frequency band. The 2.4 GHz radioprovides sufficient power (up to 1 Watt) to communicate with otherpremises network devices. Many different frequency and protocol choicescould also be made such as the 900 MHz band, frequency hopping, etc.

Alternately, in some embodiments, a dual mode 2.4 GHz radio supportsboth the peripheral LAN and premises network. In a peripheral LAN mode,the 2.4 GHz radio operates at a low power level (sub-milliwatt) tosupport peripheral LAN communication at relatively close distances(20-30 feet). In a high power (up to 1 Watt) or main mode, the 2.4 GHzradio provides relatively long distance communication connectivity withthe premises network.

Connected between the radio unit 112 and an interface 110, amicroprocessor 120 controls the information flow between through thetransceiver 110. Specifically, the interface 115 connects thetransceiver 110 to a selected computer terminal, a peripheral device orother network device. Many different interfaces 115 are used and thechoice will depend upon the connection port of the device to which thetransceiver 110 will be attached. Virtually any type of interface 110could be adapted for use with the transceiver 110 of the presentinvention. Common industry interface standards include RS-232, RS-422,RS-485, 10BASE2 Ethernet, 10BASE5 Ethernet, 10BASE-T Ethernet, fiberoptics, IBM 4/16 Token Ring, V.11, V.24, V.35, Apple Localtalk andtelephone interfaces. In addition, via the interface 115, themicroprocessor 120 maintains a radio independent, interface protocolwith the attached network device, isolating the attached device from thevariations in radios being used.

The microprocessor 120 also controls the radio unit 112 to accommodatecommunication with the either the premises network (for main moderadios), the peripheral LAN (for peripheral LAN radios), or both (fordual mode radios). More specifically, in a main mode transceiver, themicroprocessor 120 utilizes a main protocol to communicate with thepremises network. Similarly, in a peripheral LAN mode transceiver, themicroprocessor 120 operates pursuant to a peripheral LAN protocol tocommunicate in the peripheral LAN. In the dual mode transceiver, themicroprocessor 120 manages the use of and potential conflicts betweenboth the main and peripheral LAN protocols. Detail regarding the mainand peripheral LAN protocols can be found in reference to FIGS. 11-14below.

In addition, as directed by the corresponding communication protocol,the microprocessor 120 controls the power consumption of the radio 112,itself and the interface 115 for power conservation. This isaccomplished in two ways. First, the peripheral LAN and main protocolsare designed to provide for a low power mode or sleep mode duringperiods when no communication involving the subject transmitter isdesired as described below in relation to FIGS. 11-12. Second, bothprotocols are designed to adapt in both data rate and transmission powerbased on power supply (i.e., battery) parameters and range informationas described in reference to FIGS. 13-14.

In order to insure that the proper device is receiving the informationtransmitted, each device is assigned a unique address. Specifically, thetransceiver 110 can either have a unique address of its own or can usethe unique address of the device to which it is attached. The uniqueaddress of the transceiver can either be one selected by the operator orsystem designer or one which is permanently assigned at the factory suchas an IEEE address. The address 121 of the particular transceiver 110 isstored with the microprocessor 120.

FIG. 9 is a drawing which illustrates another embodiment of a peripheralLAN which designates a printer as the peripheral LAN master device andas a participant on both the peripheral LAN and premises network.Specifically, in a personal peripheral LAN 165, a computer terminal 170is strapped to the forearm of the operator. A code reader 171 straps tothe back of the hand of the user and is triggered by pressing a button173 with the thumb. Because of their relatively low battery energy, thecomputer terminal 170 and code reader 171 are designated peripheral LANslave devices and each contain a peripheral LAN transceiver having abroadcast range of two meters or less. Because of its greater batteryenergy, the printer 172 contains a dual mode radio and is designated theperipheral LAN master device.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a channel access algorithm usedby peripheral LAN slave devices in according to the present invention.At a block 181, when a slave device has a message to send, it waits foran idle sense message to be received from the peripheral LAN masterdevice at a block 183. When an idle sense message is received, the slavedevice executes a back-off protocol at a block 187 by in an attempt toavoid collisions with other slave devices waiting to transmit.Basically, instead of permitting every slave device from repeatedlytransmitting immediately after an idle sense message is received, eachwaiting slave is required to first wait for a pseudo-random time periodbefore attempting a transmission. The pseudo-random back-off time periodis generated and the waiting takes place at a block 187. At a block 189,the channel is sensed to determine whether it is clear for transmission.If not, a branch is made back to the block 183 to attempt a transmissionupon receipt of the next idle sense message. If the channel is stillclear, at a block 191, a relatively small “request to send” type packetis transmitted indicating the desire to send a message. If no responsive“clear to send” type message is received from the master device, theslave device assumes that a collision occurred at a block 193 andbranches back to the block 183 to try again. If the “clear to send”message is received, the slave device transmits the message at a block195.

Several alternate channel access strategies have been developed forcarrier sense multiple access (CSMA) systems and include 1-persistent,non-persistent and p-persistent. Such strategies or variations thereofcould easily be adapted to work with the present invention.

FIG. 11 a is a timing diagram of the protocol used according to thepresent invention illustrating a typical communication exchange betweena peripheral LAN master device having virtually unlimited powerresources and a peripheral LAN slave device. Time line 201 representscommunication activity by the peripheral LAN master device while timeline 203 represents the corresponding activity by the peripheral LANslave device. The master periodically transmits an idle sense message205 indicating that it is available for communication or that it hasdata for transmission to a slave device. Because the master hasvirtually unlimited power resources, it “stays awake” for the entiretime period 207 between the idle sense messages 205. In other words, themaster does not enter a power conserving mode during the time periods207.

The slave device uses a binding protocol (discussed below with regard toFIG. 11 c) to synchronize to the master device so that the slave mayenter a power conserving mode and still monitor the idle sense messagesof the master to determine if the master requires servicing. Forexample, referring to FIG. 11 a, the slave device monitors an idle sensemessage of the master during a time period 209, determines that noservicing is required, and enters a power conserving mode during thetime period 211. The slave then activates during a time period 213 tomonitor the next idle sense message of the master. Again, the slavedetermines that no servicing is required and enters a power conservingmode during a time period 215. When the slave activates again during atime period 217 to monitor the next idle sense message, it determinesfrom a “request to send” type message from the master that the masterhas data for transmission to the slave. The slave responds by sending a“clear to send” type message during the time period 217 and staysactivated in order to receive transmission of the data. The master isthus able to transmit the data to the slave during a time period 219.Once the data is received by the slave at the end of the time period221, the slave again enters a power conserving mode during a time period223 and activates again during the time period 225 to monitor the nextidle sense message.

Alternatively, the slave may have data for transfer to the master. Ifso, the slave indicates as such to the master by transmitting a messageduring the time period 217 and then executes a back-off algorithm todetermine how long it must wait before transmitting the data. The slavedetermines from the back-off algorithm that it must wait the time period227 before transmitting the data during the time period 221. The slavedevices use the back-off algorithm in an attempt to avoid the collisionof data with that from other slave devices which are also trying tocommunicate with the master. The back-off algorithm is discussed morefully above in reference to FIG. 10.

The idle sense messages of the master may also aid in schedulingcommunication between two slave devices. For example, if a first slavedevice has data for transfer to a second slave device, the first slavesends a message to the master during the time period 209 requestingcommunication with the second slave. The master then broadcasts therequest during the next idle sense message. Because the second slave ismonitoring the idle sense message, the second slave receives the requestand stays activated at the end of the idle sense message in order toreceive the communication. Likewise, because the first slave is alsomonitoring the idle sense message, it too receives the request and staysactivated during the time period 215 to send the communication.

FIG. 11 b is a timing diagram of the protocol used according to thepresent invention illustrating a typical communication exchange betweena peripheral LAN master having limited power resources and a peripheralLAN slave device. This exchange is similar to that illustrated in FIG.11 a except that, because it has limited power resources, the masterenters a power conserving mode. Before transmitting an idle sensemessage, the master listens to determine if the channel is idle. If thechannel is idle, the master transmits an idle sense message 205 and thenwaits a time period 231 to determine if any devices desirecommunication. If no communication is desired, the master enters a powerconserving mode during a time period 233 before activating again tolisten to the channel. If the channel is not idle, the master does notsend the idle sense message and enters a power saving mode for a timeperiod 235 before activating again to listen to the channel.

Communication between the master and slave devices is the same as thatdiscussed above in reference to FIG. 11 a except that, after sending orreceiving data during the time period 219, the master device enters apower conserving mode during the time period 237.

FIG. 11 c is also a timing diagram of the protocol used whichillustrates a scenario wherein the peripheral LAN master device fails toservice peripheral LAN slave devices. The master device periodicallysends an idle sense message 205, waits a time period 231, and enters apower conserving mode during a time period 233 as discussed above inreference to FIG. 11 b. Similarly, the slave device monitors the idlesense messages during time periods 209 and 213 and enters a powerconserving mode during time periods 211 and 215. For some reason,however, the master stops transmitting idle sense messages. Such asituation may occur, for example, if the master device is portable andis carried outside the range of the slave's radio. During a time period241, the slave unsuccessfully attempts to monitor an idle sense message.The slave then goes to sleep for a time period 243 and activates toattempt to monitor a next idle sense message during a time period 245,but is again unsuccessful.

The slave device thereafter initiates a binding protocol to attempt toregain synchronization with the master. While two time periods (241 and245) are shown, the slave may initiate such a protocol after any numberof unsuccessful attempts to locate an idle sense message. With thisprotocol, the slave stays active for a time period 247, which is equalto the time period from one idle sense message to the next, in anattempt to locate a next idle sense message. If the slave is againunsuccessful, it may stay active until it locates an idle sense messagefrom the master, or, if power consumption is a concern, the slave mayenter a power conserving mode at the end of the time period 247 andactivate at a later time to monitor for an idle sense message.

In the event the master device remains outside the range of the slavedevices in the peripheral LAN for a period long enough such thatcommunication is hindered, one of the slave devices may take over thefunctionality of the master device. Such a situation is useful when theslave devices need to communicate with each other in the absence of themaster. Preferably, such a backup device has the ability to communicatewith devices on the main communication network, e.g., on the premisesnetwork. If the original master returns, it listens to the channel todetermine idle sense messages from the backup, indicates to the backupthat it has returned and then begins idle sense transmissions when itreestablishes dominance over the peripheral LAN.

FIG. 12 is a timing diagram illustrating the peripheral LAN masterdevice's servicing of both the high powered premises network and the lowpowered peripheral LAN subnetwork, with a single or plural radiotransceivers, in accordance with present invention. Block 251 representstypical communication activity of the master device. Line 253illustrates the master's communication with a access device on thepremises network while line 255 illustrates the master's communicationwith a slave device on the peripheral LAN. Lines 257 and 259 illustratecorresponding communication by the access device and slave device,respectively.

The access device periodically broadcasts HELLO messages 261 indicatingthat it is available for communication. The master device monitors theHELLO messages during a time period 263, and, upon determining that thebase does not need servicing, enters a power conserving mode during atime period 265. The master then activates for a time period to monitorthe next HELLO message from the base. If the master has data to send tothe base, it transmits the data during a time period 271. Likewise, ifthe base has data to send to the master, the base transmits the dataduring a time period 269. Once the data is received or sent by themaster, it may again enter a power conserving mode. While HELLO messageprotocol is discussed, a number of communication protocols may be usedfor communication between the base and the master device. As may beappreciated, the peripheral LAN master device acts as a slave to accessdevices in the premises network.

Generally, the communication exchange between the master and the slaveis similar to that described above in reference to FIG. 11 b. Block 273,however, illustrates a situation where the master encounters acommunication conflict, i.e., it has data to send to or receive from theslave on the subnetwork at the same time it will monitor the premisesnetwork for HELLO messages from the base. If the master has two radiotransceivers, the master can service both networks. If, however, themaster only has one radio transceiver, the master chooses to service onenetwork based on network priority considerations. For example, in block273, it may be desirable to service the slave because of the presence ofdata rather than monitor the premises network for HELLO messages fromthe base. On the other hand, in block 275, it may be more desirable tomonitor the premises network for HELLO messages rather than transmit anidle sense message on the subnetwork.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are block diagrams illustrating additional power savingfeatures according to the present invention, wherein ranging and batteryparameters are used to optimally select the appropriate data rate andpower level for subsequent transmissions. Specifically, even though somenetwork devices have the capability of performing high powertransmissions, because of battery power concerns, the such devices areconfigured to utilize minimum transmission energy. Adjustments are madeto transmission power level and data rate based on ranging informationand on battery parameters. Similarly, within the peripheral LAN, eventhough lower power transceivers are used, battery conservation issuesalso justify the use such data rate and power adjustments. This processis described in more detail below in reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

More specifically, FIG. 13 is a block diagram which illustrates aprotocol 301 used by a destination peripheral LAN device and acorresponding protocol 303 used by a source peripheral LAN device toadjust the data rate and possibly the power level for futuretransmission between the two devices. At a block 311, upon receiving atransmission from a source device, the destination device identifies arange value at a block 313. In a low cost embodiment, the range value isidentified by considering the received signal strength indications(RSSI) of the incoming transmission. Although RSSI circuitry might beplaced in all peripheral LAN radios, the added expense may require thatonly peripheral LAN master devices receive the circuitry. This wouldmean that only peripheral LAN master devices would perform the functionof the destination device. Other ranging values might also be calculatedusing more expensive techniques such as adding GPS (Global PositionService) circuitry to both radios. In such an embodiment, the rangevalue transmitted at the block 313 would consist of the GPS position ofthe destination peripheral LAN device. Finally, after identifying therange value at the block 313, the destination device subsequentlytransmits the range value to the slave device from which thetransmission was received.

Upon receipt of the range value from the destination device at a block321, the source peripheral LAN device evaluates its battery parametersto identify a subsequent data rate for transmission at a block 323. Ifrange value indicates that the destination peripheral LAN device is verynear, the source peripheral LAN device selects a faster data rate. Whenthe range value indicates a distant master, the source device selects aslower rate. In this way, even without adjusting the power level, thetotal energy dissipated can be controlled to utilize only that necessaryto carry out the transmission. However, if constraints are placed on themaximum or minimum data rates, the transmission power may also need tobe modified. For example, to further minimize the complexity associatedwith a fully random range of data rate values, a standard range and setof several data rates may be used. Under such a scenario, a transmissionpower adjustment might also need to supplement the data rate adjustment.Similarly, any adjustment of power must take into consideration maximumand minimum operable levels. Data rate adjustment may supplement suchlimitations. Any attempted modification of the power and data rate mighttake into consideration any available battery parameters such as thosethat might indicate a normal or current battery capacity, the drain onthe battery under normal conditions and during transmission, or the factthat the battery is currently being charged. The latter parameter provesto be very significant in that when the battery is being charged, theperipheral LAN slave device, for example, has access to a much greaterpower source for transmission, which may justify the highest powertransmission and possibly the slowest data rate under certaincircumstances.

Finally, at a block 325, an indication of the identified data rate istransmitted back to the destination device so that future transmissionsmay take place at the newly selected rate. The indication of data ratemay be explicit in that a message is transmitted designating thespecific rate. Alternately, the data rate may be transferred implicitlyin that the new rate is chose and used by the source, requiring thedestination to adapt to the change. This might also be done using apredefined header for synchronization.

FIG. 14 illustrates an alternate embodiment for carrying out the datarate and possibly power level adjustment. At a block 351 upon bindingand possibly periodically, the source peripheral LAN device sends anindication of its current battery parameters to the destinationperipheral LAN device. This indication may be each of the parameters ormay be an averaged indication of all of the parameters together. At ablock 355, upon receipt, the destination peripheral LAN device 355stores the battery parameters (or indication). Finally, at a block 358,upon receiving a transmission from the source device, based on rangedeterminations and the stored battery parameters, the destinationterminal identifies the subsequent data rate (and possibly power level).Thereafter, the new data rate and power level are communicated to thesource device for either explicitly or implicitly for futuretransmissions.

Moreover, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art having read theforegoing that various modifications and variations of thiscommunication system according to the present invention are possible andis intended to include all those which are covered by the appendedclaims.

1. A communication system comprising: a first wireless network; avehicle having a power supply associated therewith; a plurality ofnetwork devices operable to wirelessly communicate with one another toform a second wireless network operating as a subnetwork in the firstwireless network; and at least a first network device of the pluralityof network devices being operable to receive power from the power supplyassociated with the vehicle, and operable to participate on the firstwireless network to provide access for a second network device of theplurality of network devices to the first wireless network.
 2. Thecommunication system of claim 1 wherein the first network device of theplurality of network devices comprises an access server.
 3. Thecommunication system of claim 2 wherein the access server is adapted toparticipate as a slave device in the first wireless network pursuant toa first communication protocol and as a master device in the secondwireless network pursuant to a second communication protocol.
 4. Thecommunication system of claim 3 wherein the access server resolvesconflicts between the first and second communication protocols.
 5. Thecommunication system of claim 1 wherein at least the first networkdevice of the plurality of network devices participates as a slavedevice in the first wireless network pursuant to a first communicationprotocol and as a master device in the second wireless network pursuantto a second communication protocol.
 6. The communication system of claim1 wherein one of the plurality of network devices other than the firstnetwork device of the plurality of network devices participates as aslave device in the first wireless network pursuant to a firstcommunication protocol and as a slave device in the second wirelessnetwork pursuant to a second communication protocol.
 7. A communicationsystem comprising: a wireless premises network; a wireless peripheralsubnetwork comprising a plurality of network devices, each having arelatively shorter range than the wireless premises network, a mobilenetwork device operable to communicate with the wireless premisesnetwork and the wireless peripheral subnetwork; and a vehicle having apower supply associated with the vehicle, the vehicle configured toreceive the mobile network device in mounting relation therewith,thereby providing the mobile network device access to the power supplyassociated with the vehicle.
 8. The communication system of claim 7wherein the mobile network device participates on the wirelessperipheral subnetwork when the mobile network device is within therelatively shorter range of the wireless peripheral subnetwork.
 9. Thecommunication system of claim 7 further composing a peripheral devicedisposed on the vehicle that is adapted to participate in the wirelessperipheral subnetwork.
 10. The communication system of claim 7 whereinthe mobile network device participates as a slave device in the wirelesspremises network pursuant to a first communication protocol whileparticipating as a master device in the wireless peripheral subnetworkpursuant to a second communication protocol.
 11. The communicationsystem of claim 10 wherein the mobile network device resolves conflictsbetween the first and second communication protocols.
 12. Thecommunication system of claim 7 wherein the mobile network device entersa state of low power consumption when not communicating with either thewireless premises network or the wireless peripheral subnetwork.
 13. Thecommunication system of claim 7, with the wireless premises networkhaving a first plurality of network devices and the wireless peripheralsubnetwork having a second plurality of network devices such that whenwithin range of one of the second plurality of network devices, themobile network device participates as a master device in the wirelessperipheral subnetwork and when within range of one of the firstplurality of network devices, the mobile network device participates asa slave device in the wireless premises network.
 14. The communicationsystem of claim 7 further comprising: a network device independent ofthe mobile network device; the network device identifying a range valueindicative of the distance between the network device and the mobilenetwork device; the network device transmitting the range value to themobile network device; and the mobile network device, upon receipt ofthe range value, identifying an appropriate data rate for subsequenttransmission to the network device.
 15. The communication system ofclaim 7 further comprising: a network device independent of the mobilenetwork device; the network device identifying a range value indicativeof the distance between the network device and the mobile networkdevice; and the network device indicating to the mobile network devicean appropriate rate for subsequent data transmission to the networkdevice.
 16. The communication system of claim 7 further comprising: apremises network device independent of the mobile network device; thepremises network device identifying a range value indicative of thedistance between the premises network device and the mobile networkdevice; the premises network device transmitting the range value to themobile network device; the mobile network device identifying batteryparameter information; and the mobile network device, based on thereceived range value and battery parameter information, identifying anappropriate data rate and power level for subsequent transmission to thepremises network device.
 17. A communication system, comprising: awireless premises network; a mobile network device operable tocommunicate with the wireless premises network; a vehicle comprising apower supply associated with the vehicle and a peripheral device coupledto the power supply associated with the vehicle, wherein the mobilenetwork device and the peripheral device are operable to communicatewirelessly; and the vehicle being configured to receive the mobilenetwork device in mounting relation therewith, thereby providing themobile network device access to the power supply associated with thevehicle.
 18. The communication system of claim 17 wherein the mobilenetwork device wirelessly communicates using lower power transmissionsto the peripheral device, and using higher power transmissions whencommunicating with the wireless premises network.
 19. The communicationsystem of claim 17 wherein the mobile network device conducts wirelesscommunication at selected power levels.